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The Abu Ghraib Photos Surface—Slowly but Surely

The Daily Telegraph, on a roll since bringing down the British Parliament, describes the Abu Ghraib photographs that we are not allowed to see. These are, according to the Telegraph, documentary evidence of specific instances of sexual degradation and torture.

There are two important points about the *Telegraph'*s revelations. The first is that these photographs can't and won't be kept secret. The second is that the British press has become one of the most effective back doors to the American media.

Mike Allen, in Politico's Daybook, speculates that the sexual nature of these photographs is precisely why President Obama, after initially signing on to the release of the more than 2,000 images, reversed course and is now actively on the side of suppression. His excuse is that the pictures might endanger American troops—i.e., they are so terrible that they are likely to foment a retaliatory rage among our enemies. Or, put another way, this is the proof that we're guilty of what they say we're guilty of, so we better hide it.

The pictures are described in a report assembled by Gen. Antonio Taguba, who conducted the inquiry into the Abu Ghraib scandal. The report remains secret but the Telegraph has Taguba confirming the description of the photographs. According to the Telegraph, Taguba is also against releasing the pictures. "The mere description of these pictures is horrendous enough, take my word for it," he says.